Top 10 Funniest Stand-up Comedians

The Top TenXW

1George Carlin

Friend of my mine introduced him to me couple of years ago. Since then, he's my favorite. Very observant and analytical to the bone. His material is educative and stimulates logical thinking. Worth watching again and again.

I have to agree that Carlin is the best of the best... He not only jokes but he's serious about what he saying and makes perfect sense and what he says is fact..

This guy has to be the best stand-up comedian ever! I am not American, not even a native English speaker, but I read 2 of his books, and I Know all his specials!

I don't think George was the funniest comedian but he was certainly the most philosophical and out spoken against stupidity of all sorts. And he was just a cool dude.

2Louis C.K.Louis Székely, known professionally as Louis C.K., is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, and editor.

Clearly number 1. I've never laughed so hard in my life before listening to Hilarious. (His latest stand-up performance)

The best out there today by a long shot. Not only does he speak so many true statements about everyday life that people never think about until they hear it but he makes it absolutely hilarious! To me he is so much funnier than Dane Cook could ever hope to be and I believe he rivals the greats of Robin Williams and George Carlin. If he continues to come out with more stuff as good or funnier than what he has out right now, I believe that he will go down as the best comedian of all time.

I watch his show every week, he has me on the floor laughing every time I see his stand up, especially his special 'Hilarious'

Never seen the Chapelle Show, so this is just based on his stand up gigs.

I think he's hilarious and it's so refreshing to see a black comic that doesn't just base 100% of their jokes on those boring "black people this white people that" nonsense he's got the right balance and I love the voice he puts on when he's pretending to be one of his white friends

His white accent is the best, hands down one of the best stand up comedians in history.

FUNNIEST GUY EVER! I love it when he switches from his real voice to a white mans voice. BRILLIANT!

He didn't put out a lot of specials but he is the funniest after Prior, maybe even better.

6Robin WilliamsRobin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian. Starting as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, he is credited with leading San Francisco's comedy renaissance.

On MJ's death - a doctor said: "Taking propofol to sleep is like taking chemotherapy because you're tired of shaving your head! "

'We had gay burglars the other night. They broke in and rearranged the furniture. '

How can this guy not be better then Chris Rock! Chris started out because of him. nuff said

When we talk about his stand-up comedy... it is enough to say: WATCH "DELIRIOUS" AND "RAW" So funny!

He has always been my favorite, especially when he played in "COMING TO AMERICA" I have always loved Eddie Murphy, he will always be one of my all time favorites. Great job Eddie Murphy and keep up the good work!

The fact that he could do a whole routine and never use a swear word tells you volumes about is skill with the English language. He never had to work "blue" to be funny; he didn't have to go there.

The fact that Dane Cook is above Bill is insane. I disown my generation

He is more funny than anyone on this list, and he keeps it clean. Its easy to cuss a lot, but keeping it clean and hilarious is leaps and bounds beyond everyone here! Why the heck isn't Bill at least in the top 10?

Daniel Tosh is thoroughly funny. He has no limits, no boundaries he wont push. He isn't afraid of making the crowd gasp, in fact, I think he enjoys it. He is "HILARIOUS, " if Louis C. K doesn't mind my use of the word. I enjoy his show "Tosh.0", but for the REAL DEAL you have to check out his hour special, "Completely Serious". He's a comic genius."My girlfriend is Korean... For this joke. "

Should be #1 or at least #2, He is the best comedian I've ever seen and I've seen all of these people. Plus he has a top rated show Tosh.0 and is becoming a household name.

Just saying, If you want to laugh, Daniel Tosh is the way to go.

P.S. why is Dane Cook even on this list?

He's like Dane Cook, if Dane Cook actually told jokes.

Daniel tosh has a very dry and dark sense of humor which bodes well for someone like me. Best stand up routine I've ever seen which says a lot by my standards.

The Contenders

11Bill HicksWilliam Melvin "Bill" Hicks was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and musician.

Alright, I want to put it to everyone like this. What is comedy supposed to be? Is it just supposed to make us laugh or is the truth of the matter more important. I will argue that the greatest comedians have the ability, talent, and heart to not only make us laugh hysterically, but to bring into question our thoughts/philosophies and cultural beliefs. I would even argue that this is the purpose of comedy itself; education, knowledge, and greater conscious understanding through the human feeling and enjoyment of laughter. When it came to this purpose no one f put it down like Bill Hicks, George Carlin and Lenny Bruce were the only two in the same ball park as this genius. I am one of those people who claim that he was in a sense a prophet because he spoke to America(and the world) about a future in which he foresaw that basically parallels our own present period. Have you looked around at the world recently? Corporate domination of our lives and society through the deception of ...more

The best and most ingenious comedian of modern times. He makes jokes and satirizes the stupidity of our way of life that we think is so important. He talks about issues most comedians wouldn't dare touch because they are fake and don't really have much to say. Topics discussed include the government, smoking cigarettes, religion & hypocrisy, consumerism & advertisement, selling out in music as well as just talking about stupid people in general. He also is one of the only comedians today that bring up the issue of mind altering drugs as helping society instead of harming it as so many people claim. His sketch on Marijuana vs Alcohol is one of the best of all time sketches in my opinion and brings to life undeniable truths about pot. Like he said, seriously if you are against drugs, than you need to delete all your music, cause most of the good songs were probably made by people using drugs. Bill ingeniously argues that drugs take us to higher point in thinking and creativity that we ...more

The best social critic of all time and fall over pee yourself a little funny, but only to smart people. He was too honest and real to reach the mainstream in the pre-internet 80's-early 90's. For a man who died at just 32, he left a large body of intellectually mature work, and some great jokes.

12Kevin HartKevin Darnell Hart is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hart began his career by winning several amateur comedy competitions at clubs throughout New England, culminating in his first real break in 2000 when he was cast by Judd Apatow for ...read more.

He's the funniest guy ever. You 'll die laughing if you see his concerts. The best and funniest stand-up comedy ever! Promise. Download some of his movies and watch the whole thing without stopping cause his jokes are interconnected. I couldn't stop laughing when I went to his concert. He is the best for sure!

He is one of my FAVORITE comedians today! This guy has a way of telling a story that can make a situation that's happened to nearly all of us, seem like the most hilarious thing you've ever heard. Nearly all of his material is on things that everyone can relate with. I LOVE THIS GUY!

I've seen all three of his specials and saw the last one live. Funniest guy ever! Everything is funny; his facial expressions, impersonations and jokes are the best! Check him out if you haven't yet!

13Russell PetersRussell Dominic Peters is a Canadian comedian and actor of Indian descent. He began performing in Toronto in 1989 and won a Gemini Award in 2008. He currently lives in Los Angeles, USA.

The best stand up comedy I've ever seen was red white and brown. I just laughed through out the damn show.

He is Awesome... Comedian I ever seen, I used to watch all his comedy shows and I recommend people to watch it. I love his accent of all different nationalities. In simple... I love him.

"I saw this wino, he was eating grapes. It's like, "dude, you have to wait. "

"A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer. "

"An escalator can never break: it can only become stairs. You should never see an Escalator Temporarily Out Of Order sign, just Escalator Temporarily Stairs. Sorry for the convenience. "

"Dogs are forever in the push up postion. "

"Every time I go and shave, I assume there's someone else on the planet shaving. So I say, 'I'm gonna go shave, too. '"

"I had a stick of CareFree gum, but it didn't work. I felt pretty good while I was blowing that bubble, but as soon as the gum lost its flavor, I was back to pondering my mortality. "

"I was at this casino minding my own business, and this guy came up to me and said, 'You're gonna have to move, you're blocking a fire exit. ' As though if there was a fire, I wasn't gonna run. If you're flammible and have legs, you are never blocking a fire exit. "

"Wearing a turtleneck is like being strangled by a really weak guy, all day. Wearing a backpack and a ...more

Saw him and feel in love with his humor. Sadly I also found out that he had died. What he would have offered would of been priceless.

Jim is funny to people of all ages. He doesn't rely upon cursing or other typical comic methods. He takes ordinary topics and makes them funny. Even my five year old was laughing at old videos of his Hot Pocket routine. I first heard Jim on the radio and thought he was great. His second voice, which operates as if an audience member is making commentary on his act, while maintaing the flow of his routine, is genius.

So good, one of the best of all time. I think Gaffigan is amazing and needs more air time all over the world. At this point I'm just typing to make this little bar go farther. END

16Lewis BlackLewis Niles Black is an American stand-up comedian, author, playwright, social critic, actor and voice actor. He is known for his angry face and his belligerent comedic style, in which he often simulates having a mental breakdown.

Listen to Lewis Black every night falling asleep - I find something exceptionally calming about his caustic, but down-to-earth jokes. I've listened to most of the comedians on this list, but there are non I can listen to with the regularity of Mr. Black and still enjoy. Give him time - there's something very intelligent in much of what he says.

If it weren't for my horse, I never would have spent that year in college.

He is without a doubt, one of the top funniest men alive. His actions, like rolling his eyes and raising his voice, just crack me up. Nobody will ever fill Rodney's shoes but, if I were you' I'd add a Lewis Black show to my bucket list. This guy is hilarious. Top 5 in my opinion. He seems like an average Joe and then starts to lose his mind. A must see act!

17Jim CarreyJames Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian American actor, comedian, impressionist, screenwriter, and producer. He is well known for comedic roles in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask , Dumb and Dumber, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, The Cable Guy, Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, ...read more.

I can't believe Jim Carrey didn't make to the top ten! Super funney in all of his movies!

hes just so funny i die by laughing to much lol - chantella

SO FUNNY! OF DUMB AND DUMBER, AND HOW DID numetalhead GET AWAY WITH SAYING bitch ON DAVE CHAPPELLE NUMBER 5 ON THIS LIST? OMG I GOT AWAY WITH IT TOO WOHO! - Thomas245

19Jeff DunhamJeffrey "Jeff" Dunham is an American ventriloquist, producer, and stand-up comedian who has also appeared on numerous television shows, including Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central Presents, The Tonight Show and Sonny With a Chance.

I admit that I've only seen one of Jeff Dunham's specials but it was hilarious. Unlike many of the other comedians listed here he is capable of being funny without being vulgar and using f-bombs and other such words as the main source of humour. The only comedian that I know of that was better than Jeff Dunham in this respect was Red Skelton who unfortunately is not in this list.

Jeff Dunham most indefinitely has a knack at comedy. On just his facial expressions alone, someone would laugh. His jokes are so priceless, that our family has inside jokes based on some of his improvisation. It's something that one can enjoy over and over, which is a rarity in itself.

best ever love his puppets and special peanut and walter he is the gretest ever done stand up

20Lenny BruceLeonard Alfred Schneider, better known by his stage name Lenny Bruce, was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, satirist, and screenwriter.

Even though I know his material is a little dated. It is a complete disrespect to have Lenny Bruce this low on a stand up comedian list. This is a guy that even George Carlin praised extensively for pushing the boundaries of what could be said on stage. Every successful and funny comedian recognizes the impact Lenny Bruce had in stand-up.

Just about all the comedians on this list owe a little bit to Lenny for pushing the boundaries of free speech.

The reason Lenny Bruce (and other older comedians) is this low on the poll is because those voting are too young to know him. Let's face it, the majority of people voting here are under 50. Same reason Richard Pryor is lower than Chris Rock, for instance.

Why is he 29 this man is top three, how is Kevin Hart ahead of him and Dane Cook absolute disrespect